HoosierGirl

Thanks for posting - what is up with having a different surgeon? Glad everything turned out fine, but that seems crazy! Good to know about this for those going or considering going to the OCC in the future. Hopefully your recovery has been easy. Dr. Miranda has been awesome with random post-op questions. I think she was my favorite part of my visit to the OCC!

In my case, I self-paid in Mexico. The surgeon only offered the bypass or band. Wierd to me now that I know! So glad my insurance denied my surgery so I was able to pick the surgery I wanted vs. what was available to me. Also, I think it is great that he is sharing that he had surgery and what type.

Welcome! And congrats on deciding to go to Mexico! I used a different surgeon, but I hope your trip, surgery and recovery are as smooth as can be.

Tastic - I think 58 lbs in 5 months is very good. Maybe a better question, would you have lost 58 lbs in the same time period without surgery? Although this article is for a different surgery, I liked the focus on percentages vs. total pounds lost. When I figure my loss using these percentages, I am on track. But I am not one of the super fast losers here either. Check out this link: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss.html Oh, I am not from the Caribbean but would GLADLY come visit you for support! In all seriousness, I live in rural Indiana and weight loss surgery is pretty uncommon around here. Thank goodness for this forum.

I was going to ask if I could eat fajitas right after surgery or smoke weed. But I am afraid I would not get the support I am looking for.

Didn't go to Dr Garcia but I have lost 41 lbs (including pre-op diet). I am almost halfway to my weightloss goal. I am exercising and following the post op diet. Still working to eat slowly and avoid snacking. Off all blood pressure meds too! Sounds like you are going to do really well! Hope your first week at work goes well.

Campbell's Creamy tomato soup.....mmm mmm good on that sleeved tummy! Still enjoy it from time to time. How are you feeling?

OK - when you are ready, I'm only a short drive away here in Indiana. I will bring my icepack and heating pad....just in case....LOL

Way to go!

I have been buying new exercise clothes. I feel cute in them when I exercise and it's a positive way to reward myself and support my new lifestyle. I have also scheduled a monthly girls night I really look forward to. And agree...buying new undies is a joy!

OMG - awesome visual! Ha ha!

WARNING If you are exercising vigorously, feeling strong, lost almost half your excess weight and decide you can do a hand-stand like your 4-year old - DON'T TRY IT! Your arms might buckle - landing you square on your head. This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the pudgey girl with the icepack on her neck.

Lisa - I just went on the OCC Forum and read some of Lindsey's posts....WOW....I totally get it....

I never spent much time on the OCC Forum as it is so much less "active" than this site. But bring it on Lindsey!

I'm not promoting anybody - nor am I tearing anyone down. If someone is on this forum to do research they should know I have had positive results as a Dr. Ortiz patient. And I determined in my pre-surgery research that Newsweek Showcase was not Newsweek Magazine. Dangerous to assume what others do/don't know. This forum is all about sharing informaton. Obviously not all are not fans of Dr. Ortiz. To each their own. However, the bottom line for anyone looking at surgery in Mexico should spend a lot of time verifying everything and doing their own research. This is a serious surgery and deserves more due dilligence than simply believing marketing information.

Thanks for sharing!

The Surgical Review Corporation measures how many procedures are done annually, ensures the facility is tracking outcomes, has specific staff in place nutrionist/cardiologist, standardized operating procedures, patient support and methods to track long term data. Number of surgeries is only one measure, but the website below says they only have to have performed 125 'qualified' procedures in their lifetime. Most of the bariatric doctors in Mexico are doing many more than 125 a month! Here is the link to the 'Center of Excellence' requirements: http://www.surgicalreview.org/coembs/requirements/

He did my surgery just fine. Still has legit medical certifications at a Center of Excellence that you can verify. I knew going in the Newsweek thing is advertising tool. There are a lot of docs that use the Newsweek thing for advertising...why not shame on Newsweek?. You have to do your due diligence selecting a surgeon in Mexico or anywhere for that matter. It's like showing up in Mexico for surgery only to find out that the "hospital" isn't what we would consider a hospital at all. Got to do the homework up front to be sure what you are getting.

LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing! You look amazing!

Wow - great details! Hate to hear that you felt bad after surgry but glad the blood sugar issue was found and solved! Cannot wait to follow your weight loss!!! Congrats and enjoy the sleeved side!

What is a panni?

Dang it....I've been there too and it stinks. The dreaded 3-week stall! I FREAKED OUT when I actually gained a pound during that time. Contacted the nutrionist at the surgeons office (because I was convinced I was going to be one of the people the sleeve surgery didn't work for.) Her exact words, "Relax. It is normal for weight to flucuate, especially after surgery. You do have restriction there. Just keep doing what you are doing and the weight will come off." She was right of course. Seems like when I have a stall or even gain, it's always right before I have a dramatic drop in weight. My weightloss has not been a smooth downward track, it looks more like steps...down then flat.....down then flat. You keep doing what you are doing and you will lose. May have a few more stalls along the way too. You are welcome to read my blog as I started at roughly the same weight but am only a few weeks ahead of you. http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/three-week-stall-weight-and-diet/ Good luck!

WAY TO GO! You are rocking your sleeve

Sorry I couldn't hear you - I was busy inhaling my lunch! HA! Yes, it's a big struggle to slow down. Thankfully I am now trained for small bites, so that helps. I have to try really hard to slow it down. OINK!

Having the sleeve is easy like having a mastectomy is the easy way out of breast cancer or not drinking is the cure for alcoholism. The sleeve is simply a surgery...it's only one part of curing obesity.